When Do I Trim Palm Trees and Why?

One of the main advantages of using palm trees in the landscape of your home or office is that they require very little maintenance. Most palm trees are able to resist the heat of our Arizona summers very well and are okay with little water. They also require very little pruning, although some pruning is necessary. A palm tree that you do not prune for a while is not only unattractive, but can also present safety hazards.

How Often Should I Prune Trees?

You’ll know it’s time to prune your palm tree when you notice old fronds on the tree that have turned brown or are dry and dead. This is a natural part of the tree’s life. Each year, new fronds grow on a growing palm tree and the older fronds die. Realistically, pruning should only be necessary once or twice a year and should focus on removing older fronds. Over trimming in anticipation of future growth can cause damage.

What If I Don’t Prune Palm Trees?

Some people will notice that palm trees in the wild are not pruned on a regular basis and wonder why they need to prune theirs. Palm trees that are not taken care of can be hazardous. Fronds that are not pruned will begin to fall on their own, which can cause accidents or injury. These fronds can be a fire hazard if left unattended, not to mention they are very unattractive and distracting from the rest of your landscape.

What If I Over Trim Tree Palms?

When you trim palm trees, it is important to avoid over doing it. It can be tempting to trim more than you need to with the idea that it will save time down the road. Fronds that are still green or even partially green should not be removed from a palm tree. Not only will removing green fronds damage the tree by weakening its health, but it also opens the tree up to pests and borers. Most people agree that an over-trimmed palm tree is unattractive as well.

How To Trim Palm Trees

It is possible to trim palm trees on your own if you use the right tools and techniques. Using long-handled sharpened pruning sheers or long-handled saws, you should trim by removing the frond as close to the base as possible. Smaller palm trees are okay to handle on your own. However, a professional who has the appropriate equipment should handle tall palm trees.

Need Help With Palm Tree Trimming?

Call ABC Scapes to find out more about the services we offer. We’re happy to provide a free quote on palm tree trimming and can arrange to have it completed right away. Call 602-404-0568 today!